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Be kind. Be thoughtful. You never know what tomorrow will bring. The people in Florida who were flooded out by hurricane Debbie didn’t expect it. The fires in Colorado were indiscriminate. The fire tore through whole communities destroying homes, and rearranging lives. It takes a strong individual to survive such devastation. Life isn’t supposed to be like that.
Floods and fires are called acts of God. Other things happen when we blame God or call on God for help. Heart attacks, strokes, vehicle accidents, shootings, animal attacks can all be devastating.
When the smoke clears, the victim is faced with the challenge of survival. Even if they have physical help and support, they alone have to have the strength, the courage, the will to continue living.
After one has made the physiological decision to face life and continue living, the physical part of life has to be faced. Some people are totally bedridden. Some people are blessed to be partially mobile with the help of a wheel chair.
Although wheel chairs work well, they don’t go up and down stairs efficiently. As a matter of fact, they have quite a few limitations, especially when there is a person seated in the wheel chair.
The Americans With Disabilities Act, which took effect on January 26, 1992, is a federal law aimed at providing “a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities” (42 USC § 12101(b)(1)). It prohibits discrimination in several areas against people with disabilities. Title III states that:
No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of a disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation (42 USC § 12182(a)).
That means that people in wheel chairs should be able to go to restaurants. The truth of the matter is that the law isn’t exactly followed. What can make a difference is how the restaurant staff treats the person in the wheel chair.
This morning I read a blog post that broke my heart: “when people make me feel crappy”
I started following Anissa Mayhew on Twitter a couple of years ago when I saw her speak at the #140conf in Detroit. She has a great sense of humor, is upbeat, and inspiring. I was thrilled when I learned that she and I would be speaking at the #140conf in New York last week. I would get to meet her “in real life.” Not only that, I got to have dinner with her.
Anissa, Julia Roberts and I went to dinner at a great little Italian restaurant. The entrance wasn’t perfect, but the staff helped us and it made all the difference. We had a nice dinner and then the staff helped us out. Other restaurant patrons were asked to move so we could leave. The hostess graciously smiled and everyone was happy to accommodate our needs. We had a pleasant experience.
When I read Anissa’a blog post this morning “when people make me feel crappy” tears came to my eyes. Why are people so insensitive? Why don’t people realize that a little kindness goes a long way.
Read Anissa’s story and find out what happened after the restaurant owner learned about this horrible injustice. Learn what is going to happen next. There is hope.
Remember – Be kind. Be thoughtful. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
Diane Brogan